Canada is extending its international diplomatic reach ahead of the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta by inviting the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to attend as guest nations, according to a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The invitation to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been confirmed, though Abu Dhabi has yet to respond. Similarly, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia has been invited, but Riyadh has not publicly accepted or declined.
The G7 summit, set to begin this Sunday in Kananaskis, Alberta, will bring together leaders from the world’s most powerful economies. Alongside G7 members, several guest countries have already confirmed their attendance, including Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, on the international climate front, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s office has announced that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to attend the COP30 summit this November. The climate conference will be held in Belém, a key city in Brazil’s Amazon region. Carney’s office has yet to formally confirm his participation.
The dual developments come as Canada looks to position itself as a leading voice on both economic and environmental issues on the global stage. With high-profile invitations and upcoming summits, the next few months are set to be pivotal for Canadian diplomacy.